The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

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The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

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The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Bestival

When: June 11 - June 12 2016 Where: Toronto, ON Website: bestival.ca Why: The Canadian spin off of the UK’s Bestival returns for its sophomore year with headliners The Cure and Tame Impala. The quirky weekend even involves a Bollywood temple, a costume and parade party, and circus troupes. READ MRE: The best summer music festivals around the world in 2016

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: NXNE

When: June 15 – June 19 2016 Where: Toronto, ON Website: nxne.com Why: Because it’s Canada’s answer to Austin’s SXSW. The multi-disciplinary festival involving film, comedy, visual arts, technology, and of course, music, and lets international superstars and local emerging talent share the spotlight. Performing this year are Kamasi Washington, The Joy Formidable and Cold Specks. READ MORE: A-to-Z Canadian travel guide

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Erika David
Source: instagram.com/nxne

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Amnesia Rockfest

When: June 23 – June 26 2016 Where: Montebello, QC Website: amnesiarockfest.com Why: Because this tiny town, where the human population is outnumber by cows, is home to the largest alt-rock music festival in Canada. Just how big? Think 100+ bands including System of a Down, blink-182 and Jane’s Addiction. And they're all set to make some serious noise. READ MORE: A food tour of Quebec City

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Erika David
Source: Nick Ghattas

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Montreal International Jazz Fest

When: June 29 – July 9 2016 Where: Montreal, QC Website: montrealjazzfest.com Why: Because this epic jazz festival has more than 1,000 concerts lined up – two-thirds of which are outdoors and free! Legendary alumni include Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Prince and Stevie Wonder. This year look out for Lauryn Hill, Stacey Kent and The Wainwright Sisters. READ MORE: Travel Insider DJ Alex Merrell

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Digital Dreams

When: July 2 – July 3 2016 Where: Toronto, ON Website: digitaldreamsfestival.ca Why: Because if you love electronic dance music, the biggest EDM festival in Canada is where you need to be. You can party at The Flats at Ontario Place to live shows by headliners Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren and Axwell & Ingrosso. Bonus: The sweet scenic view of Lake Ontario. READ MORE: 15+ of Canada's best beaches

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Ottawa Bluesfest

When: July 7 – July 17 2016 Where: Ottawa, ON Website: ottawabluesfest.ca Why: Because the eclectic music festival doesn’t just showcase the blues. Following in the footsteps of Lady Gaga, Rihanna and our April cover girl Iggy Azalea, various artists are set to take the stage – including Duran Duran, City and Colour, and Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara. And it’s all happening a short distance from Parliament Hill. READ MORE: Best travel Instagram accounts

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Quebec CIty Summer Fest

When: July 7 – July 17 2016 Where: Quebec City, QC Website: infofestival.com Why: Because Selena Gomez, Sheryl Crow and Sting will be there. And since all 300 shows take place in historical Old Quebec, you can add some major sightseeing (i.e. Château Frontenac, Quartier Petit Champlain and the Montmorency Falls) to your list of things to do. Don’t forget to order some poutine! READ MORE: A food tour of Quebec City

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Winnipeg Folk Fest

When: July 7 – July 10 2016 Where: Winnipeg, MB Website: winnipegfolkfestival.ca Why: Because you can dance with your toes in the warm, soft grass to the sounds of Lord Huron, Coeur de pirate and The Paper Kites. You can camp out and eat tons of local, organic, fair trade food, too! READ MORE: A polar bear safari in northern Manitoba

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Calgary Stampede

When: July 8 – July 17 2016 Where: Calgary, AB Website: calgarystampede.com Why: Because you can catch musical performances by Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum at what's billed as "the greatest outdoor show on earth." Let the pro riders work those chaps; stick to a cowboy hat. READ MORE: The best summer music festivals around the world in 2016

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Cavendish Beach Music Fest

When: July 8 – July 10 2016 Where: Cavendish, PEI Website: cavendishbeachmusic.com Why: Because this former cow pasture (in Anne of Green Gables’ hood) has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks and Reba McEntire since the festival’s 2009 launch. And it just keeps booking country music’s greats: this edition welcomes Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and The Band Perry. READ MORE: 15+ of Canada's best beaches

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: WayHome

When: July 22 – July 24 2016 Where: Oro-Medonte, ON Website: wayhome.com Why: Because this year’s WayHome monster lineup features Grammy-winners Arcade Fire, The Killers and Major Lazer – not bad for its second edition. But we shouldn’t be surprised. It kicked off its introductory year with Sam Smith and Kendrick Lamar. READ MORE: A-to-Z Canadian travel guide

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Erika David
Source: instagram.com/wayhome

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Osheaga

When: July 29 – July 31 2016 Where: Montreal, QC Website: osheaga.com Why: Because it’s always one of the coolest and most anticipated summer weekends in Montreal. This year, Lana Del Rey, Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers headline the indie music fest (often compared to Coachella) at Parc Jean-Drapeau. READ MORE: Inspiring Instagram accounts that make you want to travel

Image by: ELLE Canada
By: Erika David
Source: instagram.com/osheaga

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: OVO Fest

When: TBC (August 1 - August 3 2015) Where: Toronto, ON Website: octobersveryown.com Why: Because, well, Drake. The hiphop music festival hosted by OVO Sound – a Canadian record label founded by the “Hotline Bling” rapper and music producer Noah “40” Shebib - is one of the hottest summer events in "The 6ix." The lineup has yet to drop, but the bar has been set thanks to past performers like Jay Z, Pharrell, Frank Ocean and Drizzy himself. READ MORE: All the places in Toronto where you might run into Drake

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Boots and Hearts

When: August 4 – August 7 2016 Where: Oro-Medonte, ON Website: bootsandhearts.com Why: Because you can celebrate country music at the largest Canadian festival of its kind with headliners Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley and Jake Owen. And definitely factor camping into the equation – this year, the festival upgraded to a bigger venue to accommodate more tents. READ MORE: Travel Insider DJ Alex Merrell

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Edmonton Folk Music Fest

When: August 4 – August 7 2016 Where: Edmonton, AB Website: edmontonfolkfest.org Why: Because there’s no better place than the Prairies to celebrate folk music. Musical guests for this edition have yet to be announced, but just to give you an idea, Juno-winner Amelia Curran and Brandi Carlile were there last year. READ MORE: A-to-Z Canadian travel guide

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Regina Folk Fest

When: August 5 – August 7 2016 Where: Regina, SK Website: reginafolkfestival.com Why: Because Sam Roberts Band, The Mavericks and Megan Nash will take over the main stage at Victoria Park. Look out for free daytime concerts, the arts & crafts fair and the beer garden, too. READ MORE: Inspiring Instagram accounts that make you want to travel

The 2016 Canadian summer music festivals you need to know

Canada's best summer music festivals: Shambhala

When: August 5 – August 8 2016 Where: Salmo River Ranch, BC Website: shambhalamusicfestival.com Why: Because the Bundschuh clan’s cattle ranch turns into an underground electronic music scene for acts like Autograf, Keys N Krates and DJ Z-Trip. Plus, the family-run fest operates without corporate sponsorship, relying up to 2,000 volunteers to help with the event. READ MORE: The best summer music festivals around the world in 2016